I disagree with the statement of RSS leader K.S. Sudarshan that Atal Bihari Vajpayee did not do well as Prime Minister. Mr. Vajpayee struck the right balance between the BJP and Hindutva. If the RSS is proud of the national recognition for its political arm today, it is due to leaders such as Mr. Vajpayee.

Vibhash Kumar Jha,
Bangalore

Mr. Sudarshan's tirade appears personal. Mr. Vajpayee was one of the best Prime Ministers. Even the Opposition parties respected him; they did not respect the BJP.

R. Raghavendra,
Bangalore

The utterances of Mr. Sudarshan are not based on sound logic. During Mr. Vajpayee's term as Prime Minister, the economy was stable. His Government was able to repay a sizeable portion of foreign debt. A common man is more interested in such things and not in a Ram temple. Mr. Vajpayee's mandate was to further the interests of the nation, and not the agenda of the RSS or the VHP.

T.S. Thandavamoorthy,
Chennai

If Mr. Sudarshan is so particular about the younger generation taking over the reins in the BJP, why can he not pave the way for the young to lead the RSS? Let him set an example first.

Suresh Kumar,
Chennai

If anything, the RSS leader has been highly restrained. Mr. Vajpayee and Mr. Advani deserved much worse. They plunged the nation into disarray between 1980 and 1992. The so-called stalwarts neither believed in Hindutva nor cherished Bharatiyata, though they used the concepts for electoral benefit. They could have sat in the Opposition till the BJP got a clear verdict. But they decided to experiment with coalition. They made the BJP the `B' team of the Congress. They should gracefully step down.